AMI - PRESS KIT - EPK — AMI Official Site

BIO

PHOTOS

AMI is formally trained as a classical instrumentalist, producer, arranger and solo artist whose musical style is colorfully harmonic, but dissonant, has varying rhythmic ideas, heavy bass, sultry vocals, and honest lyrics. She is a woman that refuses to stand in the shadow of her light.

Her musical journey began at the age of 4 when she started playing drums in church. Intrigued by the energetic, spontaneous and creative experience, the church was where she gained her first exposure to live music creation and the culture that surrounds it. She watched in fascination as the musicians interacted through secret nonverbal cues and how the congregation reacted energetically when they heard or saw something that penetrated their spirit. She was clear on who she wanted to become. Armed with determination to become a master musician and multi-instrumentalist, AMI was enrolled in piano lessons and admitted into the state’s only Performing Arts school at age 10. Her most transformative years as a musician happened while she studied at Emerson Visual and Performing Arts School in Gary, IN under Judith Neville. Intensely competitive, AMI placed first or second place in all district and state music competitions from 6th-12th grade. Post high school she pursued her undergraduate degree in piano performance at Central State University in Wilberforce, OH. In college, she was able to completely unleash her passion for music. She became a visibly energetic performer and became comfortable displaying outward vulnerability for her craft.

In search of new sonic experiences, AMI relocated to Chicago after college graduation and started a band that included colleagues from school and other local artists. This single experience was one of the most creatively defining and life-changing moments of her life. It gave her the opportunity to create with no limitations and no agenda. It also fostered in her the confidence to publish and produce her own art.

Since then she has collaborated and toured with several well-known artists, such as Lizzo, Jamila Woods, Smino and most recently Ari Lennox. She has graced many stages nationally and internationally and continued to create with no limitations. She has appeared on stage numerous times as an instrumentalist, vocalist and musical director assisting with songwriting, arranging and concert production. She is not a slave to a genre. As long as she hears it, she can produce it and the imagery that goes along with it. She is passionate and competent in several genres of music and when given the opportunity will combine all of her talents to produce a musical experience which one will not soon forget.

AMI is promoting her debut album Suite in A. The three movement sonic expedition showcases the artist’s range across music genre, which spans from classical to soul/R&B to hip hop.

Career Highlights

Solo Music Releases

2021 - “Reasons” (single)
2020 - Suite in A - Movement 1 (EP)
2018 - “Sustain” (single)
2017 - “17” (single)
2016 - The Revelation (EP)

Solo Performance

2022 - Silver Room Block Party Festival

2022 - The Taste of Chicago (direct support), Nelly
2021 - Opener, Tweet

2021 - Culture Food & Entertainment
2020 - The JAM TV Show
2020 - CIVLization Virtual Festival (featured performer)
2020 - Congregationfest
2020 - NAMM Showcase
2019 - 8Twenty Concert (headliner)
2019 - Taste of Chicago (featured performer)
2019 - Opener, Bilal
2018 - Bantu Music Festival
2018 - Opener, Mumu Fresh

Touring and Collaboration Experience

2022 - Primavera Festival, keyboardist/musical director, Jamila Woods

2022 - Coachella, keyboardist, Ari Lennox

2022 - Dreamville Fest, keyboardist, Ari Lennox

2022 - Jimmy Kimmel, keyboardist/co-arranger, Ari Lennox

2020 - HBO’s “Chi with Love”, musical director/ keyboardist
2020 - Lollapalooza, keyboardist, Peter Cottontale
2020 - Late Night with Stephen Colbert, musical director/ keyboardist
2020 - “Jimmy Lee Tour” (Raphael Saadiq) musical director/ keyboardist, Jamila Woods
2019 - Saturday Night Live, keyboardist, Lizzo
2019 - “Legacy! Legacy! Tour” (Jamila Woods) musical director/ keyboardist, Jamila Woods
2018+ 2019 - Red Bull Music Festival, musical director, Jamila Woods
2019 - CBS This Morning, musical director/keyboardist, Jamila Woods
2018 - NPR Tiny Desk keyboardist, Jamila Woods
2017 - “CTRL Tour” (SZA) keyboardist, Smino
2017 - “HEAVN Tour” (Jamila Woods) keyboardist, Jamila Woods

Music Production/ Arranging

Producer “Double Rainbow”, Keya Trammel
“S.O.S. Live” producer/arranger, London Lo
“S.O.S” Producer, London Lo
Co-producer “Giovanni”, Jamila Woods, Legacy! Legacy!
Co-producer “Basquiat”, Jamila Woods, Legacy! Legacy!
Co-producer “Powerful”, Charity Croff, Satori 55
Co-producer “Texas”, Charity Croff, Satori 55
Live Show Arranging Mick Jenkins
Live Show Arranging Ravyn Lenae
Live Show Arranging Jamila Woods
Live Show Arranging, Johari Noelle
Live Show Arranging, Adam Ness

Academic Achievements

2010 + 2011 James A. Hefner HBCU Piano Competition, Best Performance of a piece by a Black Composer Award
2010 - 2013 Central State University, Dean’s List Award

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